Navigating U.S. Tariffs: How Irish Alcohol Exporters Can Stay Resilient

The Challenge of Tariffs for Irish Beverage Exports

The recent U.S. tariffs have highlighted the challenges that Irish alcohol exporters face when navigating international markets. For many Irish beverage producers, the U.S. is a vital market for Irish whiskey, cream liqueurs, craft spirits, and ready-to-drink (RTD) products.

Tariffs affect every part of the supply chain, from cash flow and working capital to pricing, operations, and ultimately consumer demand.

The Irish Drinks Industry: A Growth Story Under Pressure

According to Bord Bia, Irish drinks exports were worth over €2.1 billion in 2024, accounting for a significant share of Ireland’s €17 billion in food and drink exports. Global demand for premium Irish products, particularly Irish whiskey and cream liqueurs has powered this growth.

However, new tariffs create uncertainty. A 15% duty can add tens of thousands of euros to a single shipment, squeezing SMEs and limiting their ability to invest in growth or expand into new markets.

Real-World Impact: Coole Swan

Mary Sadlier, CEO of Coole Swan Irish Cream Liqueur, recently shared her experience with tariffs:

“The previous tariffs cost us €80,000 overnight, a real shock to our system. This time, while there’s more warning, the uncertainty remains just as tough. Planning for shipments and pricing in the U.S. market has become incredibly complex, and it’s the kind of challenge that tests every part of a small business.”

For alcohol exporters, tariffs are often paid upfront, creating immediate working capital pressure. In industries such as Irish whiskey and liqueurs, with long production cycles and high upfront costs this makes financial planning particularly difficult.

How Teybridge Capital Supports Irish Beverage SMEs

At Teybridge, we provide flexible alternative finance solutions for exporters in the Irish beverage industry, including:

• Invoice Finance: Unlock cash from unpaid invoices.
• Stock Finance: Fund raw materials, bottles, and packaging.
• Purchase Order (PO) Finance: Cover upfront costs for large international orders.
• Debt Finance: Support larger-scale investments or expansion.

We deeply respect the resilience of Irish SME exporters. They innovate, adapt, and grow despite constant uncertainty. At Teybridge, we’re committed to helping these businesses navigate global challenges from tariffs to cash flow, while seizing new opportunities.

Looking Ahead: Irish Whiskey & Spirits in the U.S. Market

The U.S. remains one of the most important destinations for Irish alcoholic sales. While tariffs bring short-term challenges, structured finance and working capital solutions can help SMEs protect growth, strengthen operations, and continue to reach consumers worldwide.

At Teybridge, we are proud to help Irish businesses keep moving forward- because Momentum Matters.